Amazon’s total content outlay in 2025 saw a significant increase of 10% to reach $22.4 billion, according to the ecommerce giant’s 10-K annual filing with the SEC. This figure includes both licensing and production costs associated with content offered through Amazon Prime memberships, such as Prime Video and Amazon Music, as well as expenses related to digital subscriptions and content sales or rentals.
The company’s produced and licensed video content is bundled together as a film group in each major geography where Prime memberships are offered. As of December 31, 2025, the total capitalized costs of video and music amounted to $21.3 billion, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year.
While content spending is a significant expense for many entertainment companies, Amazon’s focus is shifting towards increasing capital expenditures in 2026. CEO Andy Jassy announced plans to boost AI investments by 50% to $200 billion, driving the company’s expansion into new technologies.
Amazon’s content spending includes substantial rights fees paid to the NFL for the “Thursday Night Football” package, with estimates suggesting an annual payment of around $1 billion to the league. The company’s sports portfolio also includes rights to the NBA, WNBA, NWSL, and UEFA Champions League in certain European countries. Additionally, popular original series on Prime Video like “Fallout,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” and “Bosch” continue to attract viewers.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Amazon’s advertising revenue reached $21.32 billion, a 23% increase from the previous year. Revenue from subscription services also rose by 14% to $13.12 billion, driven by Amazon Prime memberships and other digital subscription services.
As of the end of 2025, the weighted average remaining life of Amazon’s capitalized video content stood at 3.2 years, indicating a strategic approach to content amortization based on usage and viewing patterns. The company’s licensing agreements for TV shows, movies, and music content have a range of provisions, including fixed and variable payment schedules.
For Amazon’s original video content, production costs are capitalized and amortized based on estimated viewing patterns. The company continues to invest in expanding its content offerings and enhancing the viewer experience on Prime Video, with a growing global audience surpassing 315 million monthly viewers worldwide.
Overall, Amazon’s commitment to content creation and distribution remains a key focus as it navigates the evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
